Category: News

The sun shone on the record numbers who took part in the fourth running of County Antrim Harriers annual May Fair 10k Road Race and 5k Fun Run.  Both races attracted a good mix of experienced, junior and novice runners representing a plethora of running clubs across the Province; while the 5k was also the graduation run for the Clubs Couch to 5kers, all of whom gave of their best and enjoyed their first race.

In the 10k, past winner and Northern Ireland International, Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) was first across the line in an impressive 33:06; quickly followed by Matthew Hewitt (East Antrim Harriers) in 36:37, and David Clarke (North Belfast Harriers) in 36:51.  The ladies race was no less exciting, with the European Athletics Championships bound marathoner and last year’s winner Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) securing first place in 37:02; with Gemma McDonald (Ballycastle Runners), and Patricia Blair (Larne AC) claiming second and third podium spots, in 40:38 and 42:25 respectively.

The 5k attracted over 200 athletes and was won by up and coming Aaron Callaghan (East Coast AC) in 17:54 and Jana Ross (County Antrim Harriers) in 20:34.

The Club is extremely grateful to the main sponsor Abbey Autos who also provided a lead car for the 10K; as well as to the many local businesses, including Fred C Robinson, Fleming & Cuthbert; Production Services Ireland; O2 Junction One, County Estates Ballyclare; PFC Rainwater Systems; NL Rubber Ltd; SPAR at the Ballyclare Milestone; Haggan’s Fruit & Vegetable; Waites Warehouse; Livingwell Gym Templepatrick; and Move Right Therapy for their generous support.

Social Feedback:

Congratulations on another great event. Third year I’ve done it, always well organised and
marshalled. Thank you to all the volunteers. (W Bonar)

Super turnout today for the CAH May Fair Races. As always a brilliant event. (Mallusk
Harriers)

Thanks to CAH for a great event this morning. (Ballycastle Runners)

Thanks to everyone in CAH for organising this fantastic race, for the great support along the
route and for the best spread of food I’ve ever seen after a race! Definitely will be back again
next year. (Michelle Sweeney)

Really enjoyed the run yesterday. Fantastically organised from start to finish, super
marshalling all round the course & amazing post-run hospitality. Well done everyone.
(Denise Doherty)

Really enjoyed it and friendly support all the way round. Plenty of encouragement. (Jo via
Twitter)

Superbly organised by County Antrim Harriers as part of the Ballyclare May Fair Festival, the
annual 10k/5k took place on Saturday morning. Renowned also for the quality of the post-
race refreshments it was no surprise to see a good turnout of (North Belfast) Harriers to
contest this one.

Huge respect to Sam Todd who recently completed The Great Wall Marathon, China, which is widely considered one of the world’s most challenging marathons.

May Day (7th May) saw the sun shining and County Antrim Harriers out in force at the 37th Belfast Marathon; with eight Harriers completing the full distance; 25 members running in the Clubs five relay teams; Louise Smart taking part dressed as a super hero, as part of the EAMS (East Antrim Marathon Series) fundraiser for the Children’s Hospice; and many other members providing support and smiles around the course.  Special mention to Rhonda Barclay on her marathon debut (less than two years after graduating from the Clubs C25K programme), and The Green and Wine Army (Chris Hopkins, Claire Oliphant, Graeme O’Hara, Simon Caldwell and Natasha Henderson), whose impressive time of 2:54:22 placed them 18th of 2037 relay teams, and secured a new Club marathon relay record!

At the prestigious NI Running Mile Event, at Mary Peters Track, Natasha Henderson and Nigel McGookin clocked impressive times (5:34:87 and 5:51:42 respectively) to become Club Record Holders.

Louise Smart took top podium place (and 4th finisher overall) at the Atlas Running Belfast to Dublin Ultra. In the unique endurance event, enthusiasts started at 12 noon on Good Friday from the iconic Crown Bar, Belfast, to complete the 107 miles via Newry and Dundalk, to Arthurs Bar, Dublin. Despite the adverse cold conditions, Louise took just 20hours 42 minutes, to complete the distance.

The Club had another successful outing to the popular Larne Half Marathon on 24th March. It will be a day to be remembered, with perfect weather, a record 37 members taking part, 9 achieving well deserved PBs, and 5 (Chris Hopkins, Fiona McGowan, Mags Whitehead, Sharon Kerr and Margaret Watters) making impressive Half Marathon debuts, and great Club support around the course. Special mention to Chris Hopkins, who in his half marathon debut, in an excellent 1:25:30 (84th place!)

The Club is once again very proud of Louise Smart, who has been selected to represent Ireland at the forthcoming European 24-Hour Championships in Romania in May. The Club is thrilled that Louise’s determination and dedication has been recognised, and all the Harriers wish her every success.

Many congratulations to Graeme O’Hara on his speedy record-setting run at the SSE Airtricity 10 Miler (1:09:33); and Natatsha Henderson, on her perfectly paced (debut!) 26.2 miles at the Barcelona Marathon (3:29:49), to claim another ladies record.

The weekend saw County Antrim Harriers’ ultra distance enthusiast, and Irish 24-hour international, Louise Smart, running to retain her women’s title, in the Last One Standing endurance race.  The unique event, hosted by Atlas Running, is not for the faint hearted!  Starting at 12 noon on Saturday, runners have one hour to complete a 4.2 mile loop around the trails of Castle Ward, before starting the next.  Ninety-eight runners from all over Northern Ireland and further afield competed in this extreme race.  Louise’s meticulous preparation, determination, mental fortitude, and superb pacing (in day light and by head torch; and despite rain, rough and muddy terrain, and low temperatures) allowed her to complete an amazing 25 laps (105 miles) – one of only 6 competitors and the only woman to do so – and be crowned Last Woman Standing.  Another impressive result from Louise.

Congratulations to Jana Ross who achieved a well-deserved PB and reset the Clubs Ladies ParkRun record at Antrim ParkRun (19.40). Not only was Jana the First Lady at Antrim ParkRun; her impressive time placed her in the Top 10 fastest ParkRun women in Ireland of the week!